Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells

The recording of this much-loved panel at Bark! Fest is out now, with these three great authors: Sarah Chauncey on PS I Love You Extra Than Tuna, Sassafras Patterdale on Claw This Journal, and Rachel Wells on Alfie the Christmas Cat.

By Zazie Todd, PhD

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Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells at Bark! Fest

Bark! Fest, the e book pageant for animal lovers, occurred in
September 2024. I organized it to rejoice the launch of my new e book, Bark! The Science of Serving to Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Canine, which is out now and obtainable wherever books are offered. We heard from some unimaginable authors of books about animals.

That is the recording of Our Bond with Cats with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells.

You’ll be able to watch the panel on Youtube or beneath, hear wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or beneath, or preserve studying to do each of these issues and skim a transcript of the highlights. 

Get the books

The entire Bark! Fest books can be found wherever books are offered, together with from Bookshop (which helps unbiased bookstores), UK Bookshop, and my Amazon retailer. 

The dialog with Sarah Chauncey, Sassafras Patterdale, and Rachel Wells

Mirror on what cats imply to us and the various methods they affect our lives with these 3 feline authors. 

Sarah Chauncey’s heartfelt P.S. I Love You Extra Than Tuna is a touching celebration of our bond with our cats, illustrated by Francis Tremblay. Claw This Journal: An Exercise E book for Cats and Their People by Sassafras Patterdale (Lowrey) is filled with crafts, coaching, and actions and a deep understanding of cats’ emotional wellbeing. Within the newest within the Sunday Occasions bestselling sequence, Alfie the cat is making ready for a purrfect festive present when issues go unsuitable, in Alfie the Christmas Cat by Rachel Wells. 

We talked about:

• The story of how PS I Love You Extra Than Tuna took place (and the Easter eggs within the e book)
• How this e book is designed to be given away, and the way giving turned a part of Sarah’s course of
• The function {that a} Muse Medallion from the Cat Author’s Affiliation for an article by Sassafras performed in making Claw This Journal come about
• The vary of actions within the e book (and which of them are Sassafras’s favourites)
• Why Rachel began writing the Alfie the Cat sequence, and the themes behind Alfie the Christmas Cat
• What it is wish to maintain a feline character and their supporting solid over so many books
• And you’ll hear to every creator do a studying

Be taught extra in regards to the authors:

Sarah Chauncey: https://www.sarahchauncey.com/

Sassafras Patterdale: https://sassafraspatterdale.com/

Rachel Wells: https://itsacatslifebyrachelwells.substack.com/

The dialog is co-hosted by Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson. 

Highlights of the dialog with Sarah Chauncey

Z: Sarah, you have acquired a narrative behind this e book. Are you able to inform us how the e book took place?

S:  Yeah. In 2016, my cat Hedda, I finally made the choice to have her euthanized. And I used to be not a part of the cat world. And it was devastating, after all. And some days later, a buddy of mine, who I really had often known as a colleague’s husband, despatched me a sketch, and he is from Quebec.

So the observe stated, our love makes you robust to maintain you going ahead. That’s what love is about, no? After which it was from Hedda. It was, P.S. I really like you greater than Tuna.

And in that second, I had this imaginative and prescient of a present e book to be given to individuals, like a sympathy card however extra, to be given to individuals who have been grieving a cat. In that second, it was not clear that it was going to be cats versus different animals.

After which over the following two days, it simply sort of poured out. After which at one level, he pulled away as a result of he had numerous work. However then the following summer time, I used to be requested to foster a feral cat. And I all of a sudden had a thousand Instagram followers who cherished cats, so I assumed I might take a look at the thought out with them. That is the story.

Z: Yeah. And so I wished to ask you a bit extra about your course of in writing it, since you stated it simply sort of poured out, and there is solely a comparatively quick quantity of textual content in right here, so that you really needed to be fairly exact.

So did you do some planning? Once you got here again to work on it once more, did you do a lot planning and modifying at that time, or how did that occur in each phases? 

S: So the day after I acquired Francis’s little sketch, I simply sat down and it was, I used to be on the level, and I feel all of us know this sense of actually wanting. I wished affirmation from Hedda that she felt I had given her a very good life. And naturally, I could not actually get that. 

And I sat down and I brainstormed, and it simply felt like nearly like she was coming by means of me. I brainstormed like, 100 completely different moments that people have with their cats. And I despatched it to a bunch of pals and I stated, are you able to let me know what resonates and what does not?

And I stated, simply give me 5 traces which can be your favourite and your least favourite. And so I narrowed it down. After which after I wound up having all of the followers on Instagram, or not less than on the time, it appeared like, wow,

I requested them if they’d learn it. And so I despatched it out to about 70 extra individuals. And each line is designed both to evoke laughter, tears, or simply that poignant oooh. 

Z: Yeah, yeah. And the textual content works rather well with the photographs as effectively. So what was it like working with an illustrator for it?

S: You recognize, usually in publishing they are saying do not deliver your individual illustrator, however for me, that was the purpose of the e book, was to have Francis be the illustrator. He was an artist, not your typical illustrator who attracts the identical picture time and again.

So I feel for him, it was fairly a problem as a result of ultimately we needed to get like 45 photographs finished in a month. And he had by no means fairly labored at that tempo.

And I additionally hadn’t realized how conceptual a few of my traces have been. He is like, I do not understand how to attract this. Inform me what to attract. It is like, that is a very good level. He was nice. I used to be sick all the time we have been engaged on it. I used to be not nice to work with. So he actually did an incredible job. And it actually got here collectively. 

Z: And I do know that Francis included some private touches within the e book too. So are you able to inform us about these?

S: I solely have the galley right here. So on the quilt that is Francis’ handwriting, and he additionally designed the quilt in order that was sort of a pleasant contact. We had type of gone backwards and forwards in regards to the cowl and we weren’t thrilled. 

So anyway, this on the very opening web page is definitely the paw print that the vet despatched of Hedda. And so it simply means rather a lot to me to have her little paw print in there. scrolling to. 

So this can be a line that claims, I cherished the odor of you. And the unique drawing was an open toed, frilly, sort of Sixties girl slipper. And I actually wished, as with this picture, which is the bathe picture, for the characters to be as common as doable, to be not gender particular, not race particular. So I requested him to vary the slipper right into a shoe and make it just a little extra impartial.

It turned out, , books are printed on white paper. I actually wished to have a racially ambiguous individual so that everyone may see themselves in it. However as a result of the e book is printed on white paper and it is a black and white monochrome e book, we determined to stay with white, or some individuals have stated East Asian. However I feel we did fairly effectively in not making it actually gender particular. 

That is based mostly on a photograph of Ariel when she was about six months previous. After which that is my favourite. Certainly one of my favourite photographs. Okay, the place am I? However simply because you may’t see me does not imply I am not right here.

After which talking of Ariel, on the very finish, there’s a line that claims that talks about adopting once more. And he drew just a little. What’s purported to be a tortie for Ariel. So these are little Easter eggs.

Z: Yeah. To your present cat. That is pretty. Thanks for exhibiting us these. And I feel one of many wonderful issues about this e book is the way it helps individuals with their grief.

And the grief on dropping a pet is one thing that we regularly discuss as being disenfranchised. Lots of people who do not have pets do not actually perceive it, though I feel that is altering. And one of many issues I did, as quickly as I might learn this e book, I acquired some copies and gave them away to pals who had misplaced their cats.

And I feel lots of people do this. So it’s a present e book. However are you able to additionally inform us about how giving is a wider half, is a part of your writing course of?

S: It was a part of the method for this e book in that in 2011, I found a e book referred to as 29 Items, how a month of giving can change your life. I did what they prompt, which is to offer one thing away every day. And it does not should be tangible. It may be persistence.

And it actually was transformative. And it introduced me a lot pleasure, which I didn’t anticipate, as a result of I grew up in a household the place it is like, , you bought to do stuff for different individuals and never by no means for your self, which I completely disagree with.

And this 29 presents actually did change my life. So after I had the imaginative and prescient for Tuna, I wished it to learn not solely the one that was grieving, but additionally the giver of the e book, as a result of it, , we do not have cultural rituals. You recognize, they’re beginning to be extra. However we actually do not have numerous rituals round breeding the lack of any pet.

And I wished this to develop into the ritual as a result of it offers the buddy or member of the family or colleague a tangible option to say, look, I get it, and I am sorry.

And it comforts the individual, too. So I favored that sort of win win.

Highlights of the dialog with Sassafras Patterdale

Ok: So Sassafras, the Claw This Journal, which I really like. And I really like which you could write in it. Like, I really like that it prompts you to write down in it. And I really like that with the same e book that you simply made for canine too, it is so interactive. There’s one thing about writing.

So Claw This Journal follows the success of your earlier e book, Chew this Journal. And I do know you received a Muse medallion from the Cat Writers Affiliation. How did that assist this e book come about?

S: Yeah, so there was a canopy, really, it was the quilt characteristic story for a difficulty of Catster journal, when Catster was nonetheless round, that I had written that was about tips for cats. And it was very effectively acquired and it received that exact article received a Muse medallion. And after that occurred, it was the identical 12 months that my two canine trick books, together with Chew This Journal, had been launched. 

And when the cat article received a Muse Medallion, the writer got here to me they usually have been like, however what if we did a cat e book?

Might we do a complete cat e book? Is there sufficient enrichment actions, tips, issues that we may do? And I used to be like, completely. So it was very a lot a results of with the ability to show on the earth that there was curiosity in cat actions. And the writer noticed the success of that article and that that was the e book.

Ok: Good. So why do you assume cat guardians ought to take into consideration enrichment extra? It is a large factor within the canine world, however why do cat individuals want to consider this?

S: Yeah, it is an enormous factor within the canine world. And I am hoping that we’re attending to a spot that we’re beginning to consider it extra with cats as effectively, as a result of it is so essential to have the ability to present cats with an thrilling, attention-grabbing, sensory wealthy surroundings to stay in.

And it is a part of serving to our cats to bond with us, to have extra enjoyable, to simply basically have extra engagement of their surroundings.

Ok: I really like that there is so many issues within the e book which you could simply sort of slot into your life. Like, issues that I feel you, as a cat individual, you would not essentially assume, oh, my cat likes working water. Like, I may flip the faucet on for them. I really like the way it’s simply a part of on a regular basis life, however actually making issues higher for the cat.

So are you able to give us some examples of the vary of actions which can be within the e book?

S: Yeah. So I actually wished there to be a wide range of actions that would work for individuals who, to your level, have been like, I’ve by no means thought of this. I am in all probability not going to exit and, like, retool my complete, like, residence surroundings to love, create some type of, , huge enrichment jungle gem for my cat.

So I wished to incorporate actions that folks may do with issues they already had round the home. So utilizing, , the faucet water, utilizing supply packing containers or cereal packing containers to create a sensory scent recreation for his or her cats. So issues like that every one the way in which to design and construct a patio or let’s do crafts collectively.

I actually tried to create a variety of actions to satisfy completely different readers.

Ok: Good. Simply this morning, I noticed a reel on Fb, somebody was making a charcuterie board. She’s like, Saturday evening, I am in with my cats. I am making them a charcuterie board. And it was all about how they make the motion all enticing. I used to be like, proper on, charcuterie board.

Are you able to inform us extra about your favourite actions within the e book?

S: Oh, yeah. You recognize, I feel that my favourite actions actually are rooted in fascinated about sensory enrichment for cats. So how are you aware? How are they experiencing the world? Like, contact, odor, issues like that. 

So one factor that I actually get pleasure from, making a pure sensory field. So going exterior and bringing in dried leaves or issues like that that you simply’re discovering exterior and placing them in a field and letting your cat spot them. 

Or making a fishing recreation. That is a messy one, however, , in a rest room on a kitchen flooring and having a type of a bathtub which you could put some quantity of water in and waterproof cat toys and letting your cat fish them out. I feel it’s totally, very enjoyable.

Ok: I really like that. Yeah. So if somebody desires to enhance their bond with their cat, what sort of recommendation would you give them?

I feel my greatest recommendation is to essentially take a look at the cat that you’ve in entrance of you. That is one thing that I speak rather a lot about within the e book. What does your cat get pleasure from? What does your cat discover enriching or playful or, , what are they serious about? After which discover methods to deliver extra of that into your cat’s life.

Ok: I find it irresistible. Earlier than we began the session, we have been speaking about how my cat Apricat likes to tear sticky notes down from my pc display. So I feel if I have been going to write down a prime 10 record for him… And keyboards. What’s it about keyboards?

S: They make such a satisfying little clicky, clacky noise. It is actually enjoyable.

Highlights of the dialog with Rachel Wells

Z: So Alfie the Christmas Cat is definitely a part of a protracted sequence of books now. It follows alongside from a couple of different Alfie the Cat books. Are you able to return to when this began and inform us how the primary Alfie the Cat e book took place?

R: Sure, after all. And first off, I might wish to apologize for being on right here and saying the Christmas phrase as a result of I do know it is September, so I do really feel fairly dangerous about that as a result of I am not prepared to speak about Christmas. However anyway, it is simply that it is the newest within the sequence.

I began writing the Alfie the Doorstep Cat sequence… Gosh, , about 10 years in the past. I’ve at all times been a cat lover, and I’ve at all times written fiction, so it was type of a wedding of the 2. Plus the truth that earlier than that I might been writing perhaps primarily type of like up to date romance and I used to be going by means of a divorce And I hated males on the time. Boy, hated that one. 

Anyway, a cat appeared like a safer wager for me. You recognize, I’ve at all times wished to write down in regards to the cats I’ve had in my life, all through my life, from after I was born. And so Alfie, the doorstep cat, gave the impression to be a type of embodiment of all of that.

Z: Good. And so within the e book, we’ve got to speak about Christmas, as a result of Alfie has to avoid wasting Christmas. So with out giving us any spoilers, what are you able to inform us about what this specific Alfie e book is about?

R: Yeah, so all through the sequence, Alfie’s at all times type of fixing issues and fixing issues. That is the sort of cat he’s. And on this one, he has to avoid wasting Christmas.

To place a little bit of context, the youthful human beings in his life wish to do a nativity present locally to deliver the group collectively and to boost cash for a homeless charity. However anyone is out to sabotage it, and somebody, which finally ends up being Alfie, has to find who that’s and save the present.

Z: And so Alfie is a really particular cat. Now you even have a cat referred to as Alfie? 

R: I do. 

Z: However you stated earlier than that the fictional cat Alfie is an amalgamation of cats that you have recognized in your life. So how have these actual cats influenced the fictional Alfie?

R: I feel my bond with cats all through my life has at all times been actually robust, however every cat I’ve had has had a really distinct persona as we have been simply speaking about.

However, for instance, there’s the component in Alfie of the cat who selected us. We had a kitten that saved coming to our home, and it turned out he was a farm kitten or purported to be a farm kitten, did not wish to be a farm kitten, wished to be pampered.

And so he saved coming again and we saved having to take him again to the farm. And in the long run, I begged, begged, begged my dad and mom to influence the farmer’s spouse to allow us to preserve him. And we did, and we had him for over 18 years. That was Tigger. 

In order that was type of, that complete premise of cats selecting their people, selecting their houses, selecting their environments.

And, I imply, cats are sensible, and if you happen to take heed to them and if you happen to search for the indicators, , they actually do type of. I do not know, I discover them very inspiring in on a regular basis life.

And that is one other factor that every one the cats I’ve had have had. I’ve had cats who have been actually affectionate, those that have been very aloof. And I’ve managed to place all these characters someplace into the books and that is been actually pretty for me, for my journey.

Z: Mm. I feel that is actually pretty. And I feel it helps make Alfie appear so actual as effectively. And one of many issues I really like about Alfie is that he cares. Like, he actually cares.

And many individuals really feel that their very own cat helps them in some methods. And clearly on this e book, Alfie really goes and saves Christmas. So do you assume that serving to theme is a part of what makes the Alfie e book so relatable? And in addition, are you able to inform us one thing in regards to the themes of the e book in relation to that as effectively?

R: Yeah, I imply, the factor is, all through the sequence, they’ve at all times been about type of serving to how cats may also help people, as a result of, , when we’ve got a pet, we give them every thing, however really they provide us much more than every thing. That is type of the premise that I base that on. 

And all through the sequence, it is at all times been about kindness, being variety and serving to, and taking a look at loneliness, taking a look at points that we actually face and type of utilizing a cat’s cat’s view.

And by the way in which, that is fiction, so if I sound loopy, I’ve a get out of loopy clause, which is its fiction. However so all these are themes that stick with it.

Alfie could be very variety, however he is additionally fairly conceited, in a stunning means. He thinks he is nice and he does have a couple of feedback. He will get into scrapes, . He almost drowned as soon as as a result of he was so mesmerized by his personal reflection.

So it isn’t simply all hearts and flowers, but it surely’s the journey of this cat that does actually change individuals’s lives, as I imagine all our cats and canine do.

So, , and there’s a canine really that comes into the e book, which is within the Christmas e book, got here in a bit later. So it isn’t simply cat centric, however it is extremely cat.

Z: It is rather cat. And I feel that is good for these of us who love cats and so not loopy in any respect, as a result of everybody who loves cats sort of feels that means about them anyway.

And Alfie’s really been delighting readers for a very long time. So what’s it wish to maintain a personality like Alfie and likewise, , a few of his supporting solid over so many books?

R: I feel the issue that we’ve got, and I am attending to now. seven, eight books into the sequence, is that there is some characters which have at all times been within the books. However clearly to have new tales, it’s important to introduce new characters. So one of many type of risks is that you find yourself with like 1,000,000 characters. And it is only a e book full of names, and everybody’s like, I do not know who anybody is. In order that’s been one among my essential challenges.

One other problem I confronted was I actually wished to cope with points that we have talked about right this moment, like grief. And so I used the lack of a cat in one of many tales, and plenty of individuals have by no means forgiven me for that. In order that was an attention-grabbing studying curve, but it surely was a means of claiming, , our cats miss their companions if we lose a pet in addition to us, , I wished to type of do it from that viewpoint.

Do not do this. I nonetheless get hate mail. 

So the challenges are at all times protecting a brand new story, protecting it contemporary. However Alfie has develop into a lot bigger than life in my. You recognize, in my life. It is nearly like he’s actual. So he type of nearly comes up along with his personal tales.

Z: I can think about that. And it is humorous as a result of yesterday we had a session with crime and thriller writers, and a kind of books begins with some canine being poisoned. And the creator stated, the very very first thing he stated was, not one of the canine die. The canine are all okay.

R: Yeah, and I feel that is an essential message and it pertains to Sarah’s e book as effectively, that grief is actual. And the grief is there for the cats as effectively. A minimum of for some cats, anyway.

I imply, that is the opposite factor. I grew up with cats and canine, and after we misplaced one, it was painful for the household, but it surely was very painful for his or her companion, their animal companion as effectively. And I do not assume that ever will get thought-about. It doesn’t ever get thought-about.

However that is one thing that I feel we have to increase consciousness of. In order that. That is what I did there.

The interview highlights have been flippantly edited for content material and elegance.

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